The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that the Labour Party government has no intention of means-testing the State Pension
James Rodger Content Editor
11:20, 20 Nov 2025
DWP has issued an update regarding the feared means-testing of state pension(Image: Alphotographic via Getty Images)
The Department for Work and Pensions has released a significant update regarding the feared means-testing of state pension payments. The DWP has affirmed that the Labour Party government has no plans to introduce means-testing for the State Pension.
Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden, responded to concerns raised by Labour backbencher Catherine Fookes,. The MP for Monmouthshire stated: “At the Conservative party conference, the shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury called for the State Pension to be means-tested. This has caused deep concern to pensioners in Monmouthshire who have worked hard all their lives and built up modest savings.
“Under the Conservative party’s plans, they would risk losing their state pension. Will the Secretary of State confirm that, under this Labour Government, the State Pension will remain available to all?”.
In reply, Mr McFadden said: “I am happy to say that what (Ms Fookes) says about means-testing is not the Government’s policy, but can the Conservatives confirm whether it is theirs?”, reports Birmingham Live.
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“The shadow Chief Secretary let the cat out of the bag. Can she (Helen Whately MP) confirm that this is not her policy, or is it that her leader still sticks to the position she set out earlier this year when she said: ‘We are going to look at means-testing’. Are they still looking at it, or are they not?”.
Conservative Party shadow work and pensions minister Helen Whately stated: “I am sure that we all remember the fiasco before the summer when the Government tried to make welfare savings and ended up legislating for welfare spending.
“Since then, the Prime Minister has said that there is a ‘clear moral case’ for welfare cuts, and the Chancellor has said that she ‘can’t leave welfare untouched’. Does the Secretary of State agree?”.
In response, the DWP chief said: “I notice that (Ms Whately) did not want to clarify the position on means-testing the State Pension.
“Welfare reform is happening all the time. We passed important changes to the Universal Credit system that were voted through by the House.
“And, as I said, we are putting in place important employment support to help not only long-term sick and disabled people but young people into work through many of the policies that I have talked about today.”